When Darlene Chiu Bryant was chief communications manager for former Mayor Gavin Newsom, she witnessed the planning and formation of ChinaSF in 2008. The San Francisco agency works to connect with Chinese businesses looking to establish a base in the city. Now, after stints at Pacific Gas and Electric Co and East West Bank, Bryant is running ChinaSF herself as director.

Since her appointment last year, she has helped secure a $1.7 billion loan from China Development Bank to develop two of the largest real estate projects in San Francisco history: the Hunters Point and Treasure Island projects.

Bryant has also brought 13 Chinese companies to the city while planning for the opening of the trade agency’s third office in China. The Business Times spoke with Bryant to discuss the job so far, and what changes she sees for Chinese investment in San Francisco.